Technology Briefs April 29 - May 5
The Latest Headlines:
- Jevic Says New Driver IDs Add Security
- Ryder Picks ACS to Support Response Centers
- Xata’s Net Loss Widens in Fiscal 2Q
- GE VeriWise Trailer Tracking Unveiled
- USFreightways Launches Site for LTL Customers
- Bekins Plans to Expand HomeDirectUSA
- Centerline Software Interfaced With PC*Miller
- Ryder Picks ACS to Support Response Centers
Jevic Says New Driver IDs Add Security
Motor carrier Jevic Transportation announced a new driver identification system on Sunday that allows shippers and receivers to instantly verify the identity of the driver.Jevic said the system's ID badges combine a picture of the driver, his or her identification number and a barcode. When a driver arrives at a location, the customer can scan the barcode or use the secure section of Jevic's Web site to type in the identification number.
Once that information is submitted, a picture of the driver will appear on screen.
(Click here for the full press release.)
Ryder Picks ACS to Support Response Centers
Ryder System Inc. said Monday it had selected Affiliated Computer Services Inc. to support its Ryder Customer Response Center facilities in Salt Lake City and Lexington, Ky.The RCRC provides emergency roadside assistance for Ryder's North American fleet of over 160,000 vehicles.
Ryder said under the three-year contract, ACS will support Ryder's call center operations to assist drivers using a communications network linked to more than 11,000 vehicle service locations.
Miami-based Ryder is ranked No. 3 on the 2002 Transport Topics 100 list of the largest U.S. and Canadian trucking companies. Transport Topics
(Click here for the full press release.)
Xata’s Net Loss Widens in Fiscal 2Q
Xata Corp., a provider of fleet management products for the trucking industry, reported a net loss for the fiscal second quarter ended March 31 of $1.4 million or 20 cents per share, compared with a net loss of $855,000 of 12 cents per share in the year-earlier period.Net sales were $1.7 million for the quarter, down from $3.3 million a year ago.
“Although our second quarter net sales were weakened by recent economic and political uncertainties, we are optimistic on a go-forward basis due to improved activity in our core market,” said Xata Chief Executive Craig Fawcett.
The company said it now projects revenue for fiscal 2003 to be essentially flat with the $13.2 million total for fiscal 2002. Transport Topics
(Click here for the full press release.)
GE VeriWise Trailer Tracking Unveiled
GE TIP, a unit of General Electric Co., unveiled GE VeriWise asset tracking for trailers on April 28.The company said in a release this new system uses a dual satellite network to allow customers to locate tethered and untethered trailers anywhere in North America.
The system consists of a transceiver and battery pack mounted together in the trailer nose behind a plywood panel, and a low profile antenna, which is placed on the upper right front panel.
GE VeriWise features a four-year battery that can operate untethered for up to 120 days. It recharges when the trailer is tethered to a tractor or can be hooked up to a mobile charging unit. Transport Topics
(Click here for the full press release.)
USFreightways Launches Site for LTL Customers
Trucking company USFreightways Corp. said April 28 it had launched its new USF Net Web site for its less-than-truckload customers.The Chicago-based company is the parent of five LTL subsidiaries: USF Bestway, USF Dugan, USG Holland, USF Red Star and USF Reddaway.
USFreightways said in a release that once a customer is registered, it gains access to features including shipment tracking, location-based rate quotes, online pickup requests and images of shipping documents.
There is also live-help technology available on the Web site.
USFreightways is ranked No. 8 on the Transport Topics 100 list of the largest U.S. and Canadian trucking companies. Transport Topics
(Click here for the full press release.)
Bekins Plans to Expand HomeDirectUSA
The Bekins Co. said April 28 it planned to expand HomeDirectUSA, its national home delivery service, and would include new technology called "Directware."Directware will offer an online inventory management system, delivery tracking, daily updates and interactive shipment alerts identifying potential delays, the Hillside, Ill.-based company said in a release.
HomeDirectUSA specializes in the home delivery of large consumer products such as furniture and electronics, serving manufacturers, retailers and e-tailers.
Bekins is ranked No. 81 on the Transport Topics 100 list of the largest U.S. and Canadian trucking companies. Transport Topics
(Click here for the full press release.)
Centerline Software Interfaced With PC*Miller
Accord Software Inc. said Tuesday in a release its Centerline Transportation Management software has been interfaced with ALK Technologies Inc.’s PC*MILER software.As a result, Centerline users now have the ability to access routing, mileage and mapping functionality directly from their dispatch software.
Canada-based Accord serves the trucking, wholesale distribution, construction and hospitality industries. Transport Topics
